Curriculum Philosophy

Pre-School - 12th grade

All children three and older (through Twelfth Grade) should attend Sunday School to continue their spiritual education in the Orthodox faith. The educational highlights of Sunday School curriculum and programs are below:

Pre-school and Kindergarten

It is designed specifically for the 3 to 5 year olds. At this age we understand that their span of attention and engagement is critical for their development. We have designed each program to be engaging and interactive for this age group. Programs and activities include: Orthodox/Bible lesson, snack, crafts, circle time and singing.

1st to 4th Grade

For this age group, we have designed the curriculum around the “how” of our Orthodox faith. How to make the Sign of the Cross, how to say the Lord’s Prayer and the Nicene Creed, how to sit in Church and how to take Communion and simple fasting. Orthodox and Bible lessons begin to teach the students an overview of our faith. The lessons are fun, and form the foundation of understanding for the higher grades.

5th Grade

Specifically designed for the 5th grade, we have designed the year around the “why” of our Orthodox faith. Such as: why do we sing hymns and what is the meaning of the hymns, why we should read the Bible and attend Liturgy, why fasting and prayer are important and why we look to the Saints as positive role models. The class selects a Saint to follow through 12th grade. It is this Saint’s icon they will receive at the recognition graduation ceremony for perfect 12th grade attendance. They also receive a hard copy Good News Bible as part of the class.

6th Grade

We customize our lesson plans to address issues and challenges usually found at this age. 6th graders have left the comfort of their elementary school and many of their friends. New school, new friends and new teachers can stress even the most self-assured child. This class uses the Parables just as Christ did as a teaching tool. Each Sunday the students read, understand and relate the story to their personal lives to help them keep their Orthodox balance.

7th Grade

The curriculum focuses on peer pressure and honesty from an Orthodox perspective. Bullying and the use of technology are just two of the topics covered in this class. They use Orthodox role models from saints to popular Orthodox sports figures. The second half of the year the class spends learning about the Holy Liturgy, its symbolism and structure.

8th Grade

The lessons get your student ready for high school and the opportunities and challenges they will face. Here they study the “Teenage 10 Commandments”. Each commandment is discussed, sometimes debated and always comes to an Orthodox conclusion. The second half of the year is devoted to understanding the Sacraments and what they mean in their lives today.

9th Grade

The curriculum recognizes that the students are in a more serious state of mind. Academics, friends and sports in a new school compete for their time in church and in class. The lessons are planned to capture many of the concepts taught earlier but now the students are ready to go into more depth. The students explore concepts such as body image, pride, role models, and talents by using the Saints, writings from St. Paul and the Sacraments. The second half of the year is a deeper look at Triodion as each lesson follows the Sunday in that beautiful time period.

10th Grade

The students start the year with the Acts of the Apostles and understanding church history. The second part of the year is spent on comparing other religions to Orthodoxy. This helps the students to better explain their faith in context to someone else. This is especially true for those students who also attend a Catholic or Christian high school. Even in public school our students are approached by other faiths and it is our goal to prepare them with a firm understanding of the differences.

11th Grade

The curriculum spends the entire year dissecting the Nicene Creed. Each line is a statement of Holy Tradition and dogma. This is the year they can explore everything they have learned to date. By 11th grade our students are beginning to make plans for the next leg of their journey – graduation. This class is designed to lead the students in discussion of who they are as Orthodox Christians and what they believe in.

12th Grade

It is a culmination of everything they have learned in the 15 years at St. Nicholas Church School. Most of the year is spent on contemporary moral issues and tying the answers directly to the Orthodox Study Bible which they keep as a gift. They discuss why they must embrace the truth of Orthodoxy to be saved and to prepare themselves for the spiritual and moral challenges they will find as adults. Triodion and Lent are studied for the last time and they each receive a Holy Week book. The students not only learn about Holy Week but earn the privilege to carry the Epitaphio or follow it on Holy Friday night. Every topic is used to prepare the students for life as a senior and graduate.